Tuesday, March 24, 2009

1. The Lagos Guardian, no major supporter of gay rights, has published an editorial that questions why the Nigerian Parliament is wasting time considering legislation that would make same sex marriage illegal - marriage actively supported by the odious Primate of Nigeria.

Homosexual acts are already criminal offences in Nigeria. When your very existence is threatened in an authoritarian state, you tend to focus on more immediate issues - like not being beaten to death or not being thrown in jail. I doubt that marriage is even on the radar for LGBTQ Nigerians.

The editorial mostly defends homophobia - but it closes with a paragraph that is worth reading by any sane person:

Since sodomy is already criminalised in Nigeria, we wonder whether the National Assembly is utilising its time optimally by focusing on homosexuality when the majority of our people are suffering from hunger, lack of access to water and disease. Moreover, as pointed out by the gay lobbyists, same sex marriage is not a common social practice in Nigeria therefore legislating against it is redundant and can only further stigmatise the sexual minority. Perhaps the National Assembly should be spending its time on real issues that impact on the lives of long-suffering Nigerians.

Of course, it is obvious why Akinola et al are so determined to pass this bill (having lost in last year's effort to criminalize tolerance towards gays and lesbians). LGBTQ people are a good wedge issue, as Karl Rove knew full well. And wedge issues are a very effective distraction from real issues. Thus they serve corrupt politicians very well - whether secular or ecclesiastical.

3. It happens to be the anniversary of the assassination of Oscar Romero, Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador. He was shot to death while celebrating mass in a hospital chapel. Despite his reputation as a conservative, he was highly critical of the far right regime and their death squads and an uncompromising shepherd of the Salvadoran people. The following clip shows real footage of Romero with clips of the actor Raul Julia who portrayed the archbishop in the movie Romero.

4. As my Facebook friends will know, I expect to be making an announcement in the next few days regarding my future career. I'd appreciate prayers from any and all for the success of this venture. Details to follow.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Monday was not a good day. But since it had taken almost three weeks from the traumatic event to have a legitimately bad day, that's not so bad. And even Monday wasn't that bad.

When this happens, there are two things to do:

1) pray2) the dishes

(I hasten to add that number two may include the literal doing of dishes, but it is mostly a specific example of getting on with the things that need doing. Though I believe I did actually unload and load the dishwasher on Monday.)

For a religious blog, the importance on number one should be obvious. The strength to make it through those dark times depends on God.

But the second part is similarly important. When I go through those dark times, I tend to be paralyzed. Doing anything productive requires a store of energy I don't seem to have. And while I'm busy not doing, the list of things to be done grows and grows until it becomes another generator of despair.

When the house needs cleaning, I find that the dishes are often a discrete and doable part of the job - the net effect of which is a sense that something has been accomplished. When I lived in small apartments on my own, getting the dishes done seemed to cut the rest of the job in half.

So Tuesday, I did do some dishes. I did do my exercise routine. I did get dressed - dressed like a middle aged professional with a job and things to do - and I got on with things that needed doing.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Unlike a lot of those affected, I'd seen it coming for weeks beforehand. Not to mention that I have other sources of income - at least somewhat scalable - as well as identity.

The net effect was that I did not experience the immediate and crushing sense of depression a lot of the others did. The outplacement lady said I was doing "eerily well."

But I always knew there would be days. I realize that mine started a couple of days ago, but I only really noticed it last night. Today, I am awash in it.

I would do well to remember this:

And this word: Thou shalt not be overcome, was said full clearly and full mightily, for assuredness and comfort against all tribulations that may come. He said not: Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be afflicted; but He said: Thou shalt not be overcome.

Malcolm French+

About Me

Comments here do not represent the official views of my parish, my diocese, my bishop or the Anglican Church of Canada. Neither do they purport to represent the official views of God. They are merely the views of this particular opinionated prairie priest - who hopes that his views on issues are generally consonant with God's views, but claims no certainty on that score.